The Morrow County Fair rolls around at the same time every year, but Queen Maggie Collins said it always sneaks up on her.

At the age of 16, the Heppner native is the face of the fair and is competing with her hog and in the 4-H Style Review.

Anyone who has seen Collins in a parade this year noticed her striking green long-sleeved shirt, which she made and modeled in the style review.

I chose green as my color and there werent any green shirts in the stores, so I had to buckle down and make some of my outfits, Collins said.

The grand entries at various rodeos, on her sorrel Morgan named Penny, were one of her favorite parts of being queen.

I had a great time this year, Collins said. I love riding and I love rodeo, so its nice to be in it.

Collins has been booked every weekend since June and is still booked through September when her hometown fair and rodeo is finished.

During the fair her job is to be personable and go out and talk to people attending the fair and rodeo.

I really enjoy talking to everybody and welcoming everybody at the performances, Collins said.

She is also employed by Mark and Terrie Cutsforth near Heppner as a grain truck driver. Collins spends about 30 hours per week with her court duties on top of her full-time job during the work week.

They really work with my schedule and I wouldnt get that anywhere else, Collins said.

She also describes her parents, Tim and Jeannie Collins as her support group and superheroes in the skies.

Collins was the catcher on Heppner High Schools state champion softball team and also plays the violin.

Contact Anna Willard at awillard@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4536.